Pune Roads Crumble After Heavy Rains as Bitumen Shortage Delays Pothole Repairs
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 10th July 2026: Heavy monsoon showers have severely damaged roads across Pune, leaving commuters to navigate pothole-ridden streets while the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) struggles to carry out repairs due to a shortage of bitumen.
The civic body has begun filling potholes across the city, but the work has slowed considerably because bitumen—the primary material used for asphalt road repairs—is currently in short supply. In the interim, the PMC is using cold mix material to temporarily repair damaged stretches.
The recent spell of intense rainfall led to waterlogging on several roads, with the continuous flow of water causing extensive damage to asphalt surfaces. Potholes have emerged on major junctions, flyover approaches, and internal roads, making daily commuting difficult and increasing the risk of accidents, particularly for two-wheeler riders.
The condition of many roads has been further worsened by extensive excavation carried out for laying underground drainage lines and water pipelines. Although these roads were patched after the utility work, the repairs were largely superficial, causing the surfaces to deteriorate quickly under heavy rains. At several locations, the road surface has peeled away, exposing loose gravel and creating hazardous driving conditions.
Officials said the global shortage of bitumen, attributed to ongoing geopolitical conflicts affecting supply chains, has hampered the pace of road repairs. As a result, the civic administration is relying on cold mix technology as a temporary solution until regular supplies are restored.
“Due to the shortage of bitumen, road repair works have been delayed. We are making arrangements to procure bitumen from Kochi, and once the supply arrives, the repair work will be carried out on a larger scale. We expect the situation to normalize soon,” said Omprakash Divte, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation.
The prolonged delay in permanent repairs has drawn criticism from commuters, who continue to face bumpy and unsafe roads during the ongoing monsoon season.
